Jury acquits Chambersburg man of child rape

CHAMBERSBURG -- A Chambersburg man who has spent nearly a year in jail has been found not guilty of raping a child.

A jury on Friday found Bernardo Cortez-Aguilar, 50, not guilty on all counts.

An 11-year-old girl had disclosed her alleged abuse in 2017. The Chambersburg Police Department investigated and charged Cortez-Aguilar. He was held in Franklin County Prison since July 5 in lieu of $300,000 bond.He was freed Friday.

“This has been a difficult time for him and his family,” said Steve Rice, his attorney. “He is happy to be home and is looking forward to putting his life back together again.”

Cortez-Aguilar was tried on charges of rape of a child, indecent assault and corruption of minors. The trial in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas took two days.

The girl originally claimed that Cortez-Aguilar assaulted her in his car after he picked her up when she got off her bus, according to court documents. A police report indicated she alleged the assaults began in 2012. She said she had been afraid to tell anyone because he threatened her, according to court documents.